Conversations happen. People laugh. Stories are told.
And I couldn’t tell you one thing that has been said since we sat down and Max mentionedlove.
It’s absurd.Obviously. But the way he said it, so nonchalantly… as if it wastrue…
Well, my heart hasn’t stopped palpitating since.
I’ve barely touched my Monte Christo sandwich.
Of course, the fact that it’s not breaded and deep fried doesn’t help. Or worse, the fact that the restaurant added eggs to it. I shiver as I poke at it with my fork.
“Sutton,” Max says, making me jump. For a brief moment, I forgot he wasright there.
“Hm?”
“Trade me.”
I blink, looking over at him. “What?”
“You haven’t touched your breakfast.”
I frown. “Well. Don’t call it a Monte Christo if it’s just a breakfast sandwich.”
“Noted.” Max smiles at me in that way that always seems to disarm me. “You know what? I happen to love breakfast sandwiches.”
Without my permission, he grabs my plate, then places a heaping plate of eggs benedict in front of me. “Eat, darlin’.”
I scowl at the food, confused by the fact that it’s untouched. And steaming. Looking over at Max, I ask, “Did you just order this?”
He winks. “Perhaps.”
“My second favorite brunch order.” Flicking my gaze to my cousin beside him, I roll my eyes. Anderson won’t even look at me. “Guilty.”
“Hey, don’t be hard on him,” Max says, “I can be a pretty intimidating guy when I want to be.”
“Just ask Bumper Garrison,” Grayson says, and everyone laughs.
I try to keep my smile hidden, but it’s no use, so I grin and cut into my new breakfast. “He had that coming.” I shove a bite into my mouth and catch Max watching me. Turning toward him, I ask, “Happy?” around a mouthful of food.
“More than you know.”
“Did you know that guy before today?”
I swivel my head to look at the young woman sitting beside Grayson. She gave me her name—they both did—but like I said, I’ve been a bit distracted by the protective brute who refuses to get a chair and still squats beside me.
“Ugh, he was all over you,” the other says, and they both shudder.
“I met him this morning,” I say once I’ve swallowed my bite. “He made quite the impression.”
The woman beside me snorts. “Well, props to you, girl. I wouldn't have been able to keep my cool for that long.”
I grimace, wiping my mouth with my napkin. “I’m not sure what that says about me.”
Beside me, Max grunts. “It says you’re polite, even when people don’t deserve your kindness.”
I look at him and I’m instantly locked in the intensity of those dark eyes. My stomach swoops like it often does when he looks at me like that, the reverence in his eyes threatening to steal my breath.
Swallowing hard, I offer him a small smile, then focus on my breakfast.
